Upcoming Event: Women's Golf versus ACC Championship on April 16, 2026
Women's Golf
vs ACC Championship
Photo by: Augusta National Golf Club
A Day to Remember at Augusta National
4/3/2026 5:16:00 PM | Women's Golf
AUGUSTA, Ga.-- For a golfer, having the opportunity to play a round of golf at the iconic Augusta National Golf Club is a dream of a lifetime. Getting to do this with a teammate, or brother is truly a bonus.
Duke golfers Rianne Malixi and Andie Smith lived that dream on Friday. Despite the fact they missed the 30-person cut for the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, they were able to play the fabled Augusta National course in a practice round.
In qualifying play on Wednesday and Thursday, Malixi shot an even-par 144 at Champions Retreat Golf Club, missing the cut by one shot. Smith shot a two over 146 and missed the cut as well. It was the second time each had played in the event.
On Friday, the disappointment of missing the cut was gone as they walked together playing one of the world's greatest golf courses. As the two finished their round at Augusta National, they were all smiles. You could see the pure joy in their faces from playing such an incredible course on a beautiful sun-lit day.
To keep their competitive side going they played a little match play with Malixi exclaiming as they walked off the last hole, that she had won, bringing a spry smile to Smith's face.
For Smith it was a truly special day as her brother, Jackson, who had caddied for her at Champions Retreat, caddied for her at Augusta. A dreamlike opportunity for brother and sister to walk together at this historic venue.
"Getting to walk down the fairways of Augusta National with my brother is just something that we've always talked about," said Smith. "It was really special, getting to play the course with my brother and Rianne made it such a great day, one I will never forget."
"It was amazing," added Malixi. "You really don't understand how incredible this course is until you play it."
As they finished playing, they headed off for a quick lunch and an opportunity to play the Par-3 course at Augusta National, where Smith has great memories of a hole-in-one at the eighth hole last year.
"You never forget a hole-in-one, especially one here," she said.
Since the inception of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at the home of the Master's golf Tournament in Augusta, 12 different Duke women's golfers have walked the hallowed grounds, several of them multiple years.
Beginning with that first event in 2019, five players represented Duke, Gina Kim, Anna Belac, Virginia Elena Carta, Erica Shepherd and Jaravee Boonchant, who finished 12th that year. Since that time, the Blue Devils have had multiple players in the event. In 2025, they once again had five players in the event.
Following a true "day in the sun", Malixi and Smith must begin preparation for the ACC Championship April 16-19 at Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington, North Carolina.
But today was a day they will never forget.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF".
#GoDuke
Duke golfers Rianne Malixi and Andie Smith lived that dream on Friday. Despite the fact they missed the 30-person cut for the final round of the Augusta National Women's Amateur, they were able to play the fabled Augusta National course in a practice round.
In qualifying play on Wednesday and Thursday, Malixi shot an even-par 144 at Champions Retreat Golf Club, missing the cut by one shot. Smith shot a two over 146 and missed the cut as well. It was the second time each had played in the event.
On Friday, the disappointment of missing the cut was gone as they walked together playing one of the world's greatest golf courses. As the two finished their round at Augusta National, they were all smiles. You could see the pure joy in their faces from playing such an incredible course on a beautiful sun-lit day.
To keep their competitive side going they played a little match play with Malixi exclaiming as they walked off the last hole, that she had won, bringing a spry smile to Smith's face.
For Smith it was a truly special day as her brother, Jackson, who had caddied for her at Champions Retreat, caddied for her at Augusta. A dreamlike opportunity for brother and sister to walk together at this historic venue.
"Getting to walk down the fairways of Augusta National with my brother is just something that we've always talked about," said Smith. "It was really special, getting to play the course with my brother and Rianne made it such a great day, one I will never forget."
"It was amazing," added Malixi. "You really don't understand how incredible this course is until you play it."
As they finished playing, they headed off for a quick lunch and an opportunity to play the Par-3 course at Augusta National, where Smith has great memories of a hole-in-one at the eighth hole last year.
"You never forget a hole-in-one, especially one here," she said.
Since the inception of the Augusta National Women's Amateur at the home of the Master's golf Tournament in Augusta, 12 different Duke women's golfers have walked the hallowed grounds, several of them multiple years.
Beginning with that first event in 2019, five players represented Duke, Gina Kim, Anna Belac, Virginia Elena Carta, Erica Shepherd and Jaravee Boonchant, who finished 12th that year. Since that time, the Blue Devils have had multiple players in the event. In 2025, they once again had five players in the event.
Following a true "day in the sun", Malixi and Smith must begin preparation for the ACC Championship April 16-19 at Porters Neck Country Club in Wilmington, North Carolina.
But today was a day they will never forget.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF".
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Andie Smith, Duke | Interview | CGN
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